Editorials

What’s he hiding?

June 24, 2012

When sensitive information regards White House involvement in killing alleged terrorists overseas, President Barack Obama seems to have little concern about it being made public. In fact, it has been suggested that in order to boost the president's image as a decisive leader, information about the CIA assassination program may have been leaked by one of Obama's aides.

But when the question is about the Justice Department's botched "Fast and Furious" program providing guns to narco-terrorists, the White House clamps a lid on information.

Members of the House of Representatives are investigating the program, through which the Justice Department actually facilitated some gun smuggling. Some of the weapons involved may have been used to murder U.S. border agent Brian Terry.

Through a months-long probe of "Fast and Furious," Attorney General Eric Holder has been less than forthcoming. This past week, however, the situation hit rock-bottom. Holder refused to comply with a House demand for additional documents. Then the White House said it was asserting a claim of "executive privilege" to withhold the information.

Again, in view of security leaks the White House seems to tolerate - perhaps even aid - that sounds strange. As some in the House have noted, it makes one wonder what Obama is trying to hide.

Lawmakers, using a contempt of Congress vote if necessary, should insist the documents be provided.